Summary

This report, prepared by UNDP's African Facility for Inclusive Markets, describes the status of inclusive business in sub-Saharan Africa and the ecosystems underlying the enterprises and entrepreneurs driving such approaches. It identifies promising opportunities in strengthening these ecosystems, enabling enterprises and entrepreneurs to build more – and stronger – inclusive businesses.

While enterprises are the drivers of inclusive businesses, entrepreneurship is required of all societal actors if the surrounding ecosystems are to be developed. Local support institutions are largely absent, and building them will make it considerably easier for inclusive businesses to flourish. By building inclusive business ecosystems, Africa’s wealth can be realized, creating shared prosperity.